In less than a month, high school will come to an end for the class of 2025. Seniors will be leaving the school where they have made many memories. The class of 2025 is a very diverse class, with many students from different ethnicities and backgrounds and with amazing personalities. Stacy is a Mexican American ready to depart from Preuss and begin her new journey at UC Davis. Senior Stacy Rosales (‘25), defines an exemplary student by being Co-Editor in chief of The Preuss Insider, as well as a four year participant in Art club and two year participant in Crocheting club. In addition Stacy has volunteered at the Multicultural Festival, the Starlight Carnival and the Mira Mesa Tet festival earning more than 30+ community service hours.

What’s one lesson you’ve learned throughout high school?

“I learned to not take everything for granted throughout my time in high school. Most of my freshman year, all I could think about was getting ready to graduate and leave for college. I was so eager to grow up and start adulthood; however, as it started getting closer, it made me cry to even think about. Preuss gave me the opportunity that no other school could. I was given the chance to take AP classes for free for four years, and was able to take higher level classes that allowed me to be viewed and qualified as a competitive candidate for colleges.”

“Additionally, the small classes and diversity here is something that I wouldn’t have experienced anywhere else. Most teachers talk about it, but when you actually get the opportunity to visit other schools, you learn that they genuinely aren’t as diverse. This school allowed me to gain a small but close knit community with people who I want to continue to talk to even after high school. I wish I was able to explore more connections with the staff and students here or give back to them before my time ends here at Preuss.”

What is something you wish you could tell your freshman self and why?

“I would tell my freshman self to take advantage of every opportunity. I think most people faced a similar situation with quarantine. For me, it made me much more introverted than I already am. Because of this, I didn’t attend as many events as I’d wanted to. I think that if I had chosen to have a more social life in school at this time in my life, it would’ve helped me to grow as a person. It would’ve also pushed me to do better academically and would also result in a different experience with my senior application to colleges. Additionally, it would’ve just given me more confidence that I would need to go off to college and possibly even the workforce in general.”

What are your plans after high school?

“After graduating high school, I want to spend a lot of time with my friends and family before embarking on my journey to UC Davis. Originally growing up in southern California and then transitioning to Northern California gives me the opportunity to go on new adventures.” 

What is your most memorable experience here at Preuss?

“I would say that the most memorable moment here at Preuss was Senior Intent to Register day. Last year I wasn’t able to attend or really understand what it was, but this year, experiencing it was for sure an emotional experience. The event worked towards acknowledging that all us seniors will be attending some sort of college or university in the near future.”

“However, knowing that most of us will be parting ways was honestly scary. Getting to that point where we all commit to a school makes it all feel so real and graduation keeps coming closer and closer. I know that actually graduating will be bittersweet for all of us, but SIR day prepared me for that moment where we will all walk across the stage together.” 

What is your favorite hobby or activity?

“I’m someone who enjoys taking pictures and videos because it gives me something to look back on for memories, and that is something I’ve been doing since I was little. I mainly find myself taking pictures at museums because of all the pretty paintings displayed as well as just the overall aesthetic of how it’s built.”

Who do you admire most and why?

“I admire my mom the most. Her continual reassurance towards me is what allowed me to continue striving for more because she believed in my capabilities and potential. My mom has always put her children first no matter the circumstances. Despite her struggles at times with finances, she continued to strive to put a roof over our head and allow us to experience every opportunity she herself wasn’t able to.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

“In 10 years, I will hopefully already have reached a degree in nursing or at least anything healthcare related. I have always planned to pursue a degree in which I could help others and interact with them as well. UC Davis will hopefully provide me with a starting foundation and support to fulfill the requirements I need to go on route with my goals.”

Which teacher or staff had the biggest influence on you?

“I’d definitely say that Ms. Garcia had the biggest impact on me. Throughout my first two years of high school, I struggled with English, primarily because of my absences but also because of the lack of effort I put into my assignments. Having taken AP English Language and Composition my junior year, I automatically sparked an interest in what I wanted to do and or study in the future. The acting out of books such as The Grapes of Wrath and even The Crucible made studying English so enjoyable and easy to retain.”